Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-03
miscellaneous.
Early Autumn Hints for Orchard
and Garden.

Eariv Autumn 1lntS AOA
and Garden.
Owners of gardens often give special
attention to their grounds early in the
season. and get everything fairly IN gooo
order. but omit this care later in the sea-
son. A few random suggestions may
therefore be of use to them.
WEEps.-One of the first things to do. Is
to clear from the ground all the scattered
weeds some of which have already reached
a foot or more in height and are beginning
to form seeds. By promptly eradicating
them. numerous crop another year may
be prevented Single plants OF some OF
onr common weeds when they have 1uii
acope ripen several thousand seeds,and IL
is economy to prevent it. The true way
ia tn destroy weeds before they reach the
LIGHT. when the labor is small. or IN otner
words. keep the ground always perfectly
clean-it is much the cheapest In the emu
PREPARING SoL.-Many crops are to be
planted in spring. and the pest thing nov nov,
IS to put the ground IN perfect oruel. ! na'
will greatly reduce the LABOR next seasoh'
and give much finer crops. 10 over the III
tended ground repeatedly with cui'iVator
or steel rake thus destroying the successive
crops OF starting weeds, and bytop-dressing
with fine manure it will be well Incorporate
ed with the soil, and be worth double the
amount of manure carelessly applied. II
the garden is liable to be water soaked IN
early spring. or by long and heavy rams
thoroughly tile-drain it this fall. Let these
drains be twice as near together as in
farm-drainng. and it will pay well in the
early work and early crops. II the SOIL Is
too clayey, and you have an accessible sand
hole. draw on to the land you are prepar-
ing enough loads of sand to cover it with
a iayer threee inches deep. This sand
will become worked in by future cultiva-
ton. and benefit the soil for at least fifty
wears to come, for the sand will not evapo-
rate nor be carried off like manure.
APPLE ORCHARDS Top dress these
with manure every autumn, or at least bi
ennially. Let the top-dressing cover the
whole surface. avoiding the common mis-
take of spreading the manure few feet
only on each side of the tree. This treat
ment will not only give the trees more
vigor, but will add to their fruitfulness;
and not only add to their frultfulness but
produce larger, fairer and better fruit.
We have seen trees which were supposed
to be hopelessly super-annuated, res. ored
to new vigor and bearing, with VIDE ana
copious manuring on the surface OF the
ground 1t answers well whether the
orchard is in grass or is cultivated ground.
PEACH TREEs-Being slightly tender.
but requiring frequent pruning or short
ening back, the work should be done ear
ly in the autumn rather than later, so that
they NAV recover from the wounds and
the wood become ripened and hardened
before winter. Very severe weather has
tendency to ipjure freshly pruned peach
trees. 1t would be better, however, il
large wounds are to be made, as in head
inc back old trees, to do the work early in
spring This heading back may be some
times usefully performed on trees which
have extended their long branches beyond
proper bounds, giving them new and com,
pact heads, and improving the size and
quality of the crop. The value OF this
treatment was suggested many years ago
by Witnessing the work roughly done
by storm, which broke off the top. and
gave new and vigorous head bearing the
large and excellent peaches seen onyoung
trees.
CURRANTs-Being quite hardy, may be
pruned in autumn. Cut out old and stunt
ed wood, cutting back shoots which are
too long, and making an evenly dlstribu-
ted head. Cultivate the ground well keep
it clean and apply manure if you want
heavy crops, with currants four times as
large as on neglected bushes.
RASPBERRY BUsHEs-If not growingin
exposed places. may have the old canes
al. 10, do thar hoarinn oil
cut or cleaned out, giving room for the
finishing growth and ripening OF the young
trees which are to bear next year. IT the
new canes are numerous, thin out all but
five or six of the strongest. (The best
time, however, to do.this last thinning is
in early summer before they have grown.)
If the bushes stand in much exposed or
windy place, it may be best to leave all
thus thinning till spring, so. that all may
assist in retaining the drifting snow, and
thus aflording shelter.
PLANT EVERY YEAR.--Some new
planting may be done every year. Old
sorts of fruit occasionally die out, and may
need replacing with the same kinds, or
| with newer and better ones. Always
choose those of tried and proved excel
lence. and avoid new names and high
priced trees. A few we'll cared for are
better than many with partial neglect
BY procuring few at a time, it will be
easier to secure those sorts least liable to
disease, and most valuable.
HARDY ORNAMENTALs.-Ash erbaceous
perennals, may be increased at this sea
son of the year by dividing the roots and
planting separately. covering them as
into until
leaves.
THE MEMORANDUM BooK.-For noting
down any practical suggestions in the
proper order of time, if regularly used
will be found of great value in future
Devote page to each week of time
through the season, note any plumbers in
practice or any operations which have
proved practically successful. Omissions
properly filled will prevent similar
omissions next year Country Gentleman.